Ploratrices – Spirits of Lamentation Might 6 (Corpus) (Spring)
Ploratrices (Lamenters) are a type of Imagine spirit which is attracted to the sound of lamentation and grief. There is a certain degree of superstition surrounding them among coven-born grogs, and among some magi as well. The spirits often appear in advance of a death or tragedy as if in anticipation and seeing or hearing a Ploratrix is considered to be a very bad omen. Other magi dismiss this as being no more supernatural than the poorly understood circumstances which might give rise to other spirits such as Eidolons.
According to Maxentius of Flambeau Ploratrices take no pleasure from witnessing tragedy, in fact they are largely sympathetic to the victims and seem to view themselves as fellow mourners in many aspects, though they are relatively simple minded and are not prone to introspection. Despite taking no pleasure from it their essential nature draws them inexorably towards tragedy and death.
In the order it is often said that greater numbers of Ploratrices appear for the deaths of great men and women. This is true, in a sense – the deciding factor is how many people will mourn the deceased, so a humble but beloved grog might attract a great many while a mighty but solitary magus none at all.
Characteristics: Cun +0, Per +0, Pre +1, Com +3, Str +0, Sta +0, Dex +0, Qik +0
Qualities and Inferiorities: Greater Power, Lesser Power x2, Improved Power, Premonitions, Compassionate
Personality Traits: Spirit of Lamentation +3*, Compassionate +3
Abilities: Premonitions (Death) 4, Music (Laments) 4, Folk Ken (Mourners) 2
Description: Polatrices appear as oddly proportioned pale women (usually old) with eyes raw from tears. They are dressed in the mourning garb of whatever culture the observing character belongs to.
Powers
Eidolon (CrIm) 0 Might Init +0
R: Touch D: Concentration T: Individual
The spirit can take on an incorporeal form which can be seen and heard by material beings. It matches the description given above.
Their Time Has Come (InCo) 0 Might Init -10
R: Sight D: Momentary T: Individual
This power allows the spirit to determine if the character is likely to die within the next day. This is not a certain prediction – it can only tell the likelihood of death based on the circumstances at the time the power is used.
(Non-hermetic, Base 10, +3 Sight)
Keening (CrIm) 0 Might Init -4
R: Touch D: Concentration T: Individual
This power allows the spirit to create a keening wail. The spirit can control the sound as long as they concentrate and can mimic words as well.
(Base 1, +1 Touch, +3 Complexity, +1 Concentration)
Story Seed
A member of the covenant with second sight reports the sudden appearance of a large number of Ploratrices in various parts of the covenant. This surely is a portent that someone, or perhaps several people, in the covenant will die in the near future. The magi must determine what the cause of this imminent disaster is and prevent it or suffer the consequences.